Kohlberg’s Six Stages of Moral Development (Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development)

PHILO-notes
24 Nov 202111:41

Summary

TLDRLawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development outlines six stages across three levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. These stages describe how individuals progress from self-interest to social conformity and ultimately to universal ethical principles. Kohlberg's research, based on interviews with children and adolescents responding to ethical dilemmas, revealed a pattern of moral reasoning development that continues throughout life, emphasizing justice and the philosophical implications of moral growth.

Takeaways

  • 🎓 Lawrence Kohlberg was a professor at Harvard University known for his theory of moral development.
  • 👶 Kohlberg's theory was influenced by Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget and involved extensive research on moral reasoning.
  • 🧩 Kohlberg's theory is based on interviews with boys, presenting them with ethical dilemmas to observe their moral reasoning.
  • 📊 The theory identifies a progression of moral reasoning through six stages, grouped into three levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional.
  • 🔄 The pre-conventional level (Stages 1 & 2) is focused on avoiding punishment and pursuing self-interest.
  • 🤝 The conventional level (Stages 3 & 4) emphasizes social conformity, peer acceptance, and obeying laws to maintain social order.
  • 🌟 The post-conventional level (Stages 5 & 6) is characterized by moral judgments based on universal ethical principles, potentially in conflict with societal norms.
  • 📜 Stage 5 is about considering the common good and social contracts for the welfare of the community.
  • 🌐 Stage 6 involves respect for universal principles like justice, dignity, and equality, guiding actions based on conscience.
  • 🔑 Kohlberg viewed moral development as a linear and hierarchical process, where individuals progress through stages in a specific order.

Q & A

  • Who was Lawrence Kohlberg and what was his field of expertise?

    -Lawrence Kohlberg was a professor of education and social psychology at Harvard University. He began as a developmental psychologist and later moved to the field of education.

  • What was the influence on Kohlberg's theory of moral development?

    -Kohlberg was influenced by the Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget, who was famous for his theory on the moral development of children.

  • How did Kohlberg develop his theory of moral development?

    -Kohlberg developed his theory through extensive research and interviews with young boys from early childhood to late adolescence, asking them to respond to hypothetical ethical dilemmas.

  • What was the result of Kohlberg's interviews with young boys?

    -The interviews showed a pattern of responses that suggested a progression in moral reasoning, leading to the development of Kohlberg's theory of moral development.

  • How many stages of moral development did Kohlberg identify?

    -Kohlberg identified six stages of moral development.

  • What are the three levels into which Kohlberg's six stages of moral development are classified?

    -The three levels are the pre-conventional level, the conventional level, and the post-conventional level.

  • What is the primary concern of the pre-conventional level of moral development?

    -The pre-conventional level is primarily concerned with the consequences of one's actions, focusing on external consequences such as punishment and reward.

  • What are the two stages within the pre-conventional level of moral development?

    -The two stages within the pre-conventional level are: 1) Punishment and authority, and 2) Individual's own interest or advantage.

  • How does the conventional level of moral development differ from the pre-conventional level?

    -In the conventional level, the child is more concerned with societal relationships and social conformity, shifting from self-interest to maintaining positive relationships and societal order.

  • What are the two stages within the conventional level of moral development?

    -The two stages within the conventional level are: 3) Good boy-nice girl orientation (peer and group acceptance), and 4) Law and order orientation (legalistic orientation).

  • What is the focus of the post-conventional level of moral development?

    -The post-conventional level focuses on the common good and universal moral principles, where individuals make judgments based on impartial, universal moral principles even when they may conflict with societal standards.

  • What are the two stages within the post-conventional level of moral development?

    -The two stages within the post-conventional level are: 5) Social contract orientation (common good), and 6) Universal ethical principles orientation (respect for universal principles).

  • How does Kohlberg view the progression through the stages of moral development?

    -Kohlberg viewed moral development as linear and hierarchically ordered, meaning an individual cannot jump from one stage to another without passing through the intermediate stages.

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Related Tags
Moral DevelopmentLawrence KohlbergEthical BehaviorPsychologyEducationStages of GrowthSocial PsychologyMoral ReasoningEthical DilemmasHarvard University